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A Wilmington-based company has been launched to help corporations prepare for security threats such as an active shooters and data breaches.

Barrister Global Solutions is managed by Lewis Schiliro, Delaware's former secretary of Safety and Homeland Security. The 25-year FBI veteran left Gov. Jack Markell's Cabinet last year to start the business.

Barrister was formed with the goal of working with Delaware law firms with investigations into bankruptcy, white-collar crime and securities fraud litigation. It also will help companies design and implement security protocols, train staff and plan to secure facilities to reduce the risk of a crisis that could harm employees and the bottom line.

"Most of what we have seen so far from corporations is reactionary," Schiliro said. "I would think from a risk management standpoint, it makes sense to manage threats proactively, but from a financial aspect, security may not be an issue until it happens to [the corporation] and that's a little disappointing."

In terms of forensic consulting and investigations, Schiliro said he is looking for cases similar to the Pennsylvania State University scandal. Former FBI Director Louis Freeh investigated the reporting processes that may have permitted convicted child sexual abuser and former football coach Jerry Sandusky to avoid detection over several years. Freeh's group was paid $8.1 million for the investigation, according to figures released by the university.

Barrister, which launched last month, will hire experts on security and investigators on a contract basis, including retired federal agents.

"Our investigators will be highly paid, but they will be the best in the world," Schiliro said. "They will work for a particular project and then go back to playing golf."

The company has been in discussions with two or three companies about potential contracts but have not yet reached any agreements. Schiliro, who is funding the company himself, said once Barrister begins to sign deals, he hopes to hire administrative and support staff. He said it was too soon to discuss exact hiring numbers.

"Hiring will depend on the type of revenue we can generate," he said. "I don't doubt that there is a lot of work out there, but we have to develop a market strategy. That is what we are working on right now."

Barrister's biggest challenge, according to Schiliro, is competition in the industry. There are already several major global investigation companies out there, including FTI Consulting, Guidepost Solutions and Kroll. Those companies each employee hundreds of investigators and security staff.

Schiliro said he is confident the market can support a new member.

"The growth in this market is incredible," he said. "The issues we are dealing with are much more difficult to deal with than when I was with the FBI."

Barrister's Wilmington location will be the key to its success. Schiliro says making inroads with the city's corporate law community will be key to Barrister's success. He said some of the contacts he made during his career in law enforcement will be an asset in Delaware.

"For us to compete in Manhattan, it is a whole different arena," he said. "Wilmington is a lot easier to operate, and we have pretty good contacts around here."

In addition to Schiliro, Barrister's management team will include Arthur Grubert, who will head investigative and consulting services. Grubert spent 28 years with the FBI and most recently was vice president at Goldman Sachs & Co.'s business intelligence group.

Daniel Kelly, who has 30 years of experience with the New Jersey State Police Department, will manage Barrister's investigative and regulatory services division. Michael Fullilove, a former Navy SEAL, handles security and training services.